Congress predicts 'significant changes' after bypoll

Mysore, Nov 23 (UNI) Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President Mallikarjuna Kharge today predicted ''significant changes'' in the State politics after the Chamundeswari Assembly constituency's byelection result was announced on December seven.

Speaking to newspersons here after opening the party election campaign office, he said ''one should wait for the results... when the results are announced, the Janata Dal (S) and BJP's unholy alliance in the byelection as well as in the Government despite stiff opposition in the BJP for not fielding a candidate will be exposed.'' Cautioning the party workers to maintain vigil against official machinery misuse in the constituency, he said the party had complained against Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy to the Election Commission for ''misuse of power'' during the election campaign, following which the EC had issued notice to Social Welfare Minister Balachandra Jarkiholi for violating the model code of conduct.

Mr Kharge said the party had decided to depute its senior leaders in full strength to campaign for its nominee Siddaramaiah. Some central leaders would also be invited the participate in the electioneering. Various teams have been formed to take up door to door campaigns.

To a question on some Congress leaders wanting the defeat of Mr Siddaramaiah, he said it was a creation of the ruling party and there was no such move. As per the party high command's directive, all the leaders would work for the party and Mr Siddaramaiah's victory as the byelection was considered a prestigious one.

Mr Kharge thanked parties like CPI, CPI(M), Sarvodya Karnataka and KRRS which have extended their support to the party candidate Siddaramaiah, showing that all secular-minded parties have become one to defeat the ''communal party with a secular face.'' Referring to former Prime Minister and JD(S) President H D Deve Gowda calling the bypoll a 'Dharma Yudha', he said it was 'Adharma Yudha' since the party had ''unholy'' understanding with a ''communal'' party and the Chief Minister and many Ministers had been facing corruption charges.

Former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly N Dharam Singh said the caste factor in the bypoll was a JD(S) agenda and the Congress could fight the election on political considerations and not caste factor.

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